GOG Galaxy vs Steam
GOG Galaxy
gog.com
Steam
store.steampowered.comSide by side
| Figure | GOG Galaxy | Steam |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · App Store | 8.6 (#1) | 8.2 (#3) |
| Spec score · Game Launcher Software | 8.7 (#4) | 8.3 (#9) |
| Spec score · PC Game Launchers | 8.7 (#4) | 8.4 (#7) |
| Spec score · Game launchers | 8.7 (#14) | 9.1 (#5) |
| Spec score · Game Distribution Platforms | 8.6 (#4) | 8.3 (#6) |
| Chat | Galaxy provides chat for its users independently of in-game chat. | Steam Chat supports text and voice conversations with friends or groups. |
| Documentation depth | Developer documentation covers release workflows, a developer portal, builds, pipeline tools, SDK integration, client features, FAQs and changelog management. | Steamworks documentation includes feature guides, API references, SDK instructions, finance, store publishing, tutorials, discussions and support links. |
| Game discovery | The client shows upcoming releases and games popular with friends and the wider community. | Steam offers game hubs, reviews, achievements, and custom recommendations. |
| Headquarters | Warsaw, Poland | Bellevue, Washington, United States |
| Purpose | GOG GALAXY combines game libraries and friends from multiple gaming platforms in one app. | Steam is an online destination for playing, discussing, and creating games. |
| Support | GOG directs users to an in-app issue reporter, feedback option, support tickets and community forums. | Steam Support offers personalized help for purchases and account status after sign-in. |
| What it does | GOG GALAXY combines game libraries and friends from multiple gaming platforms in one desktop application. | Steam is Valve’s platform for playing, discussing and creating games. |
Plans
In their own words
GOG Galaxy
GOG Galaxy brings game libraries and friends from different gaming platforms into one app for Windows and macOS. It can collect PC and console games, including titles that are not installed, and track achievements, play time, and owned games across connected services. For PC games, it can install and launch titles owned on different platforms. Library tools include filtering, sorting, tagging, changing game visuals, saving views, and editing metadata. Galaxy combines friends lists, online status, activity, and cross-platform chat. Games can enter the library through official or community-made integrations, or be added manually; community integrations are open source, and GOG provides documentation for creating them. Library changes sync between devices, and offline mode is available. GOG says it does not share imported personal data with third parties and removes it from its servers when a platform is disconnected. GOG-specific features include auto-updates, cloud saves, multiplayer, matchmaking, and rollbacks. Other platforms’ client software is needed for their platform-specific features. The app is free with a GOG account.
Steam
Steam is an online destination for playing, discussing, and creating games. Its catalog includes nearly 30,000 games, with game hubs, reviews, achievements, and custom recommendations for discovery. Users can meet others, join groups, form clans, and use text or voice chat. Steam Workshop supports making, finding, and downloading mods and cosmetics for nearly 1,000 supported games. Steam Broadcast streams gameplay live to friends or the community. The Steam Mobile app on iOS and Android supports shopping, account protection, game news, notifications, and community features; Steam Guard can approve sign-ins and confirm trades or Community Market listings. Steamworks provides tools and services for developers and publishers distributing games on Steam. Steam is free, but game and content prices vary and some subscriptions may be free. Content is licensed rather than sold; use may require an account, the client, and an internet connection. Users under 13 may not subscribe, and country-specific age limits may also apply.